The Californer - Long Beach: Health Department Announces Certification of 32 Community Violence Intervention Workers

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Above: City certified Community Violence Intervention workers pose after receiving their Urban Peace Institute training and certification.

Long Beach, CA – In a major milestone for public safety and community healing, the City of Long Beach has certified 32 Community Violence Intervention (CVI) workers through two professional training programs. This initiative, facilitated by the Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), reflects a significant community-initiated strategy to strengthen local, culturally-rooted violence prevention efforts.

"With this initiative, we are equipping people who are trusted in their communities with the skills necessary to prevent violence before it happens and in turn create a more resilient Long Beach," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This is more than a training—it's the product of decades of effort from residents and organizations deeply invested in the wellbeing of our neighborhoods. This is what proactive, community-first public safety looks like."

The newly certified cohorts completed comprehensive training through the Professional Community Intervention Training Institute (PCITI) and the Urban Peace Institute (UPI), respected leaders in community-based violence interruption. This training equips 32 Long Beach-based practitioners with evidence-based strategies for violence de-escalation, mentorship and crisis response. These trained practitioners play a critical role in responding to incidents of gun violence, with responsibilities that include controlling rumors, preventing retaliation, de-escalating community tensions, providing support to victims and survivors, peacekeeping and conducting outreach and mentorship. Through this work, they help disrupt cycles of violence and promote safer outcomes following violent incidents.

The Health Department's Long Beach Activating Safe Communities (LBASC) program works directly with Long Beach Police Department, which notifies program staff after a scene involving violence has been cleared. LBASC then deploys trained CVI workers to assist victims, families and impacted community members. Their response includes emotional support and connecting residents with resources—all focused on reducing trauma and preventing further violence.

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"This is a critical step in our public health approach to violence prevention," said Dr. Anissa Davis, Health Officer, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services. "With the former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declaring gun violence a public health crisis, it is more important than ever to invest in community-led solutions that address root causes and build long-term resilience."

The certified CVI workers represent a proven model of public safety leadership that has been newly integrated into the City's violence prevention strategy. Rooted in the very communities they serve, these individuals bring trusted relationships, cultural awareness and lived experience that uniquely positions them to de-escalate conflict and support healing. As credible messengers and peacekeepers, they offer an approach grounded in trust, respect and accountability which are essential components of sustainable safety.

By investing in these community leaders, the City is advancing a public safety strategy that is both evidence-based and community-centered, reflecting Long Beach's commitment to meaningful, inclusive approaches and lasting partnerships that prioritize prevention, healing and long-term wellbeing and align professional standards with grassroots insight.

"This is a 20-year vision realized," said Dr. Aquil Basheer, Executive Director of the BUILD Program and founder of PCITI. "Long Beach is setting a national standard for what it means to invest in credible messengers. This training creates a professional framework rooted in accountability, discipline and community trust."

"We were proud to partner with Long Beach to certify a new generation of peacemakers," said Fernando Rejon, Executive Director of UPI. "This effort shows that when cities properly fund and scale CVI programs, they create safer, more resilient communities. Certification and structure are essential to this work."

This program, funded through a combination of California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (CalVIP) grant funds and one-time funding approved as part of the Mayoral recommendations for the City Council-approved Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, was made possible by community organizations, including 2nd Call, April Parker Foundation, California Youth Empowerment Services, Centro CHA, Families Observing Cultures & Uniting Students (FOCUS), Welcome Home Oasis and the dedicated trainers at PCITI and UPI, whose expertise and commitment continue to shape Long Beach's public health approach to safety.

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This initiative is part of the City's ongoing S.T.R.O.N.G. Beach (Standing Together to Reach Our Next Generation) efforts to address longstanding disparities in community safety, particularly in neighborhoods where violence has had a greater impact on youth and communities of color. These communities have shown extraordinary resilience and are central to identifying and driving the solutions. This effort aligns with similar established initiatives in Los Angeles City and County, creating greater regional coordination on community wellbeing and public safety.

For more information about the Health Department's violence prevention efforts, visit longbeach.gov/peace.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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